ACL Specialist

What is an ACL injury?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament located in your knee. The ACL helps connect the bone in your upper leg to the bone in your lower leg. These ligaments allow you to bend and extend your knee so you can walk, run, and play sports.

An ACL tear is one of the most common knee injuries and can happen when too much pressure is placed on your knee while jumping, twisting, or landing hard on the ground. Tears may also occur if you abruptly pivot your knee or change direction. Most ACLs injuries happen while playing sports.

What are the symptoms of an ACL injury?

When the injury first occurs, you may hear a loud popping sound, or you may feel a popping sensation inside your knee. Many people who suffer ACL injuries experience immediate and extreme knee pain.

After your injury, you may also experience the following symptoms:

• Swelling around the knee
• Trouble moving your knee
• Difficulty placing weight on the knee

If you have an ACL injury, you may have trouble standing or walking. You might also suffer from severe pain that does not go away on its own. If you think you’ve injured your ACL, it’s important to see a doctor for a medical evaluation.

How is an ACL injury treated?

Depending on the severity of your injury, your doctor may recommend ACL surgery to repair the tear. Surgery can help patients with serious injuries to regain their active lifestyle.

If you choose to have surgery to repair an ACL tear, physical therapy at Empire Physical Therapy & Athletic Rehabilitation, PC can help speed up your recovery. Even if you decide against surgery, physical therapy can still be useful for improving knee function and relieving some of your knee pain.

How can physical therapy help with ACL injuries?

Physical therapy can treat a wide range of health conditions for patients of all ages. The physical therapists at Empire PT work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that will help you recover from your surgery or heal past injuries.

Physical therapy can:

• Improve joint function
• Increase muscle strength
• Increase stability and balance
• Increase flexibility
• Promote healing after an injury
• Aid in recovery after surgery

No matter what your age or overall health status, physical therapy can improve your well-being and help you feel better. Call Empire Physical Therapy & Athletic Rehabilitation, PC in Manhattan or use online booking to schedule a visit today.